Photos: A ‘stupid’ San Francisco tradition carries on
The annual April Fools’ Day parade through the Financial District started back in 1979 as a sendup of capitalism.
Shelli Frew and her friends march in the St. Stupid’s Day Parade Monday in a black-and-white stripes theme. The only-in-San Francisco April Fools’ Day tradition is a celebration of silliness. | Source: Estefany Gonzalez/The Standard
On a breezy, sunny April Fools’ Day, several hundred people marched through downtown San Francisco to celebrate parking meters, feather dusters, bean dip and organized religion, among other absurdities.
Few things are as only-in-San Francisco as the annual St. Stupid’s Day Parade, an April 1 tradition. Ed Holmes, aka Bishop Joey of the First Church of the Last Laugh, started the march through the city’s Financial District back in 1979 as an ironic ode to capitalism.
The parade has since incorporated quite a few unusual rituals, from throwing lottery tickets up in the air outside the Federal Reserve Building to marchers chanting “Bullshit! Bullshit! Bullshit!” Holmes, who was once a submarine mechanic in the U.S. Navy, later performed for years with the SF Mime Troupe. In past years, he has kicked off the parade by mooning the crowd from a float adorned with three giant dachshund heads in the style of the Bay Area’s beloved Doggie Diner restaurant chain, which closed down in 1986.
This year’s event drew the usual assortment of people in all manner of silly costumes, with accessories ranging from “fruit loop” hats to Trump dolls.
Paradegoer Barron Scott Levkoff wore a white top hat and a Salvador Dali mustache. He said he’s been attending the parade since the 1990s. He summed up the vibe: “You should be here, because you’re stupid, too!”
A man with a butterfly mask plays the flute during the St. Stupid's Day Parade, which began in Embarcadero Plaza. Hundreds of people wore silly costumes to Monday's event, which began back in 1979 as a sendup of capitalism. | Source: Estefany Gonzalez/The Standard
Salane Schultz plays the accordion and wears a deck of cards around her neck. She said it was her first year marching at the St. Stupid's Day Parade, which is held every April Fools' Day. | Source: Estefany Gonzalez/The Standard
Barron Scott Levkoff, aka Mondo Wonky, says he has been coming to the St. Stupid's Day Parade since the 1990s. | Source: Estefany Gonzalez/The Standard
Andrew Long wears a "fruit loop" hat and an American flag suit jacket to April Fools' Day parade. The event has incorporated unusual rituals over the years, including throwing lottery tickets up in the air outside the Federal Reserve Building. | Source: Estefany Gonzalez/The Standard
Bucky Baldwin, center, plays a drum while marching down Market Street. Parade founder Ed Holmes goes by the moniker Bishop Joey of the First Church of the Last Laugh. | Source: Estefany Gonzalez/The Standard
Parade participant Denise Goodman shows off her fur-trimmed purple and red tiara hat. St. Stupid’s Day satirizes religious traditions, holidays and, above all, American financial institutions. | Source: Estefany Gonzalez/The Standard
A marcher calling herself Sharon Sharealike wears a Donald Trump doll in a baby carrier in the St. Stupid's Day Parade. | Source: Estefany Gonzalez/The Standard
Ellen Eagan marches down Market Street wearing a clown nose and a pair of scissors. The St. Stupid's Day Parade is based on the idea that stupidity is the bond that unites people everywhere. | Source: Estefany Gonzalez/The Standard
Aimie McDaniel poses for a portrait as marchers gathered in Embaradero Plaza for the parade. | Source: Estefany Gonzalez/The Standard
Stacy Samuels plays the trombone during the St. Stupid's Day Parade. | Source: Estefany Gonzalez/The Standard
Danny Dechi, dressed in a marching band uniform, marches with a sign that reads, "Peter Rabbit died for your sins." The annual April Fools' Day event in downtown San Francisco began as a sendup of capitalism but has morphed into an annual celebration of absurdity. | Source: Estefany Gonzalez/The Standard
Musical instruments have traditionally been a key part of the parade. | Source: Estefany Gonzalez/The Standard
Janet Koike plays the drums amid two giant dachshund heads in the style of the Bay Area’s once-iconic Doggie Diner restaurant chain. | Source: Estefany Gonzalez/The Standard
Irene DE, dressed up in the spirit of the 1970s iconic television series "Hawaii Five-0," blows bubbles as the parade makes its way through the Financial District. | Source: Estefany Gonzalez/The Standard
